Exactly 100 Years ago, Italy entered in war against the Austro-Hungarian Empire, during the First World War. 650.000 Italian soldiers gave their lives on the East Alpine front, and forever they will be remembered as heroes of the Fatherland for having defended it from the invading enemy.
Several songs were written to pay homage to the soldiers, the most famous (at least in Italy) is the famous "Song of Piave" (or also known as "Il Piave murmur" and "The Legend of Piave).
The Piave whispered calm and placid under the crossing of the first infantry on may 24; the army headed to the frontier to make a wall against the enemy! The soldiers crossed silently that night they had to be silent and go forward.
From the beloved river banks we heard light and low the exultation of the waves. It was a sweet and propitious omen. The Piave whispered: the foreigner shall not pass!
But a sad night we heard of a gloomy event and the Piave felt the angry and the dismay Ah, how many people it saw coming, leaving their homes; because the enemy won at Caporetto. Refugees everywhere, from far mountains, they came to crowd all the bridges.
(Interesting note: the early version of the song had instead the following lines: a gloomy event = a betrayal because the enemy won at Caporetto for the shame accomplished at Caporetto. This was because the disaster was charged upon the units defending the Plezzo's hollow; it was later discovered that these poor units had been annihilated by the gas bombardment and were innocent)
We heard from the violated river-banks light and sad the murmur of the waves Like a sob in that black autumn the Piave whispered: the foreigner returns!
And the enemy returned: he wished to wreak his desires because of his pride and his hunger, he saw the fertile plains from the upper ground, he wanted to feed and to exult again! They will not, the Piave and the infantry said, the enemy will never advance again!
We saw the Piave raising his waves the waves fighting along the infantry. Red with the blow of the haughty enemy, the Piave ordered: go back, foreigner!
The enemy went back to Trieste, to Trento and the victory spreaded her wings! among the ranks we saw Oberdan, Sauro and Battisti alive! In the end the italian valour broke the gallows tree and the weapons of the hanger!
(Note: Guglielmo Oberdan, Nazario Sauro and Cesare Battisti were Italian patriots, they were from the Italian part of the Austrian empire and thus they were Austrian citizens. Howewer Sauro and Battisti entered the Italian army in 1915 and during the war both received medals for bravery but were later captured and sentenced to death by the Austrians)
Secured the Alps, free the shores the Piave was silent, the waves calmed. Once the grim empires were won, the peace didn't left any oppressed neither any foreigner on the motherland's soil.
Once the grim empires were won, the peace didn't left any oppressed neither any foreigner on the motherland's soil.
Yes, this song was (and still has) to serve to make understand the sacrifice made by the Italian soldiers to protect Italy from invasion. Not like now... . I remember that, during elementary school, a teacher made us sing several songs (including this one) when we moved on foot to go for educational visits in the areas near the school. She also made us sing the Italian anthem in the classroom (which unfortunately many schools no longer do).
Yes, this song was (and still has) to serve to make understand the sacrifice made by the Italian sol
With the baby in her arms, the cry is still on her eyes, she had waited anxiously for his passage. The Great War had broken the charm, Italy his sons had to call: They left that morning towards the Italian border.
The Regiment leave, Dad's Regiment, high the banner to the wind that one day the glory will kiss. He leaves with a happy heart whoever gladly gives his blood, the Regiment leave, Dad's Regiment.
Festive bells, victorious peace, the Bersaglieri come back from the front! Among other housewives, eager and anxious, the bride waits with her little one. Among songs, hurray and flowers The winners are happy again.
The Regiment returns, Dad's Regiment, high the banner to the wind kissed by the glory goes. Come back with a happy heart who at the return home does, the Regiment returns, but Dad doesn't come back.
Baby, raise your head, you will not make your cry shine. Your father's deeds the Fatherland cann't forget. The blood he has given a day will be a spur to you, when you'll be a soldier in the father's regiment.
The blood he has given a day will be a spur to you, when you'll be a soldier in the father's regiment.
It's a very touching and meaningful song.
Anyway, another very beautiful song is this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p0oHEYu9Ylo , sung by B